We learned a lot in the last chapter ... right Kanan? However no one is immune to falling ill. How will that be handled? Read and find out.
It had started with a small groan from Ezra. The child said his stomach ached a little when Zeb had put Ezra to bed. Since nothing more seemed to happen, and the kid complained of nothing else, Zeb had put the small child to bed thinking none of it. Zeb layed waiting to see if Ezra could sleep. When the Lasat heard the even sounds of the kid's breathing, Zeb figured the stomach ache had passed and Ezra would be okay in the morning. Zeb though could never imagine how wrong he was.
SWR
The next morning, all seemed okay in the kitchen as most of the crew was getting breakfast ready. As everything was coming together, Kanan felt something off and did a head count and began to think what Hera said next.
"Where's Ezra?" She asked curiously as she looked around, "Normally he is the first one up."
Zeb had his mouth full of leftover birthday cake when he said, "Kid was still in bed when I got up. Mentioned he had a stomach ache, so I think he is just trying to sleep it off."
Kanan though sensed it, something was up, "Tired or not he still would come out dragging his feet for breakfast."
Kanan's own inquisitive nature kicked in, so he placed his caf on the table to headed to the cabin area.
Kanan knocked on Zeb and Ezra's cabin door, "Kid, You okay?"
Kanan waited for a reply and didn't get one. Something was definitely wrong.
"Ezra, you awake?" Kanan spoke with his voice raised.
When again he got no answer, he had enough.
"Ezra, I'm coming in." With that Kanan had the door slide open, not sure what to he would find. As he entered however, he saw a wrapped up bundle on Ezra's bed.
"Ezra?" Kanan asked gently as he approached the bed.
"MHHM" Ezra mumbled as he remained underneath the blankets.
Kanan, knew something was wrong. Ezra never mumbled to him.
Kanan placed a hand on the bundle and reached into the force, and quickly regretted it. In a instant he was hit with sweats, chills, and extreme nausea. Kanan had to get out of it quickly to prevent himself from vomiting.
Once Kanan regained his composure, he pulled back the blanket past Ezra's neck and sure enough there was poor Ezra. The child was shivering like he was freezing, but sweat was beading from his forehead as his cheeks looked awfully red.
Kanan felt the heat radiating off the poor kid's face. This seemed to get the distraught child's attention
Ezra's hazy eyes looked towards the man, "Kanan," his voiced asked in exhaustion.
"Hey Ezra, guess your not feeling well."
Ezra shook his head, confirming Ezra's sickly state.
"Kanan, I think my stomach is gonna die."
Kanan couldn't help but to chuckle at the notion, "Not today kid." Kanan then picked up the wrapped up bundle and carried him out of the bunk. "Let's get you to the med bay kid, we need to get you some help."
Once Kanan and the bundled up kid entered the hallway, they were greeted by their other crew mates; who had decided to follow Kanan when he took too long getting Ezra.
"Kid..?" Zeb questioned with worry as he saw the ill appearance of the child, guilt hitting him hard for leaving his little buddy like that.
"Oh Ezra" Hera sympathized as she ran her hand through his hair.
"Ezra you don't look so good" Sabine observed with concern.
"Don't feel good either" Ezra mumbled.
"I'm taking him to the medbay" Kanan said.
"No don't leave me" Ezra said looking close to start crying.
Ezra was clinging to Kanan like the man could vanish into thin air, and the panic in his expression told the crew how scared he was.
"We won't Ezra" Kanan reassured before he turned to the crew.
"Could you guys fetch some of thing's? Ezra might be in the Phoenix medbay for a few days" Kanan asked, thinking the worst but hoping for the best.
Zeb and Sabine did as Kanan requested and left to gather what Ezra could need. As Kanan left with a sleeping Ezra, Kanan saw out of the corner of his eye Hera with concern all over her face.
"What do you think is wrong with him?" Hera pondered sadly for Ezra's well being.
"Ezra looks to have the signs of the stomach flu." Kanan stated with certainty.
"You already got a diagnostic droid here?" Hera asked as she looked in the room for the droid.
"Nope," Kanan stated flatly, "I sensed it."
Kanan walked towards the Phoenix's med bay as Hera stood there with eyes widened. The power Kanan possessed and the bond between the two never ceased to surprise the woman.
SWR
In the med bay, Kanan and Hera waited for a formal diagnosis, during which time Ezra had began to puke his brains out. The room began to smell foul as the action from the ill child continued, not that the odor was on the other's mind too much. All they wanted was Ezra to feel better.
The droid finally spoke, "Patient Bridger has gastroenteritis, commonly known as the stomach flu. Bridger is showing nausea, vomiting, and fever of 103 degrees fahrenheit."
Kanan looked down at the puking child with sympathy as Hera gently rubbed the child's back, a motion that Ezra leaned into when he was not hurling into the bucket.
"What's the treatment?" Kanan question rather harshly.
The droid spoke again, "Bridger will need IV fluids admitted with medication in the fluids. Recommended stay, two days in the med bay.
As Ezra finished retching up what was left in his stomach, Hera got a washcloth to clean the poor child's face.
"I'm sorry," Ezra muttered as he barley could keep his eyes opened.
"Shh, you have nothing to be sorry for. You didn't ask to get sick." Hera assured with a gentle tone.
Before any more could be said Sabine and Zeb came with the things Ezra needed for a long term stay in the medbay.
"So what is wrong?" Sabine asked as she unpacked Ezra's blankets .
"Stomach flu" Kanan sighed, resulting in everyone to flinch at the news.
"Sabine? Zeb?" Ezra mumbled with his eyes only half open.
"We're here" both answered, relieved Ezra was okay enough to recognize them.
"You guys are staying, right?" Ezra asked with desperate plea in his tone.
"We will Ezra, that is why we have brought you all this" Zeb replied and showed Ezra his sleeping clothes.
Ezra nodded but fell asleep before anymore could be said. When Ezra was asleep Kanan looked towards the crew.
"We need to set up a sleep schedule. Ezra is not able to take care of himself right now, plus having one of us here will make him feel better about being here for a while. Hera you have meetings to go to so you better do that. Zeb, squeeze in a nap so you can cover tonight. Sabine you will watch him while I will try to prepare something Ezra might be able to eat when he wakes up" Kanan instructed.
The crew nodded and started doing as he had said.
SWR
Hera was at the meeting with Sato and Ahsoka discussing imperial bases and possible weapon construction. Hera though could only think about getting this meeting over with and back to Ezra All she could think of was the poor child being so ill.
"Hera … Hera" a voice snapped her back to reality. Hera then noticed it was Ahsoka speaking to her.
"I am sorry Ahsoka, what?" Hera asked.
"What is wrong Hera? All this time you have been having a hard time focusing. Are you feeling alright?" Ahsoka asked as she eyed the twil'ek.
"I am, but Ezra has come down with the stomach flu" Hera admitted to the people of the meeting.
Both Sato and Ahsoka face wrinkled with worry.
"Well why don't we all go see him as soon as the meeting is over." Sato insisted.
Hera smiled, happy with how the two others was concerned for Ezra as well. Then chuckled when Sato called the meeting completed a mere minute later.
SWR
As Hera, Sato and Ahsoka entered the medbay, they found a very sick looking Ezra propped against a number of pillows and Sabine and Kanan trying to feed him some soup
"Come on bud, just a little more," Kanan pleaded as he gently rubbed Ezra's back.
Ezra ate a little more but suddenly he vomited it all up over the side of the bed. The vomit though did stain the bed sheets a bit.
"Sorry" Ezra whimpered in discomfort.
"Ezra, it's okay we can change the linen" Kanan assured as he lifted up Ezra as the droid changed the sheets. Ezra looked at Hera as she entered all though he seemed sad.
"Hera you are back. Why did you leave me?" Ezra nearly cried.
"I had a meeting but I am back now hun and I brought friends" Hera answered.
"Hello little one" Sato spoke up as he entered the room.
"Uncle Sato?" Ezra asked sounding miserable.
Sato looked distressed seeing his little 'nephew' in such a state.
Once the linen was changed and Ezra was laid back on the bed, Sato got into a chair next to the bed as Ahsoka stood by the child's head.
"Heard you were not doing well young one." Ahsoka addressed the child sympathetically as she saw how uncomfortable he looked.
Ezra shook his head, "Can I puke up my own stomach?"
Sabine alas did not think before she answered, "Your stomach can digest itself when it has no mucus in it."
This showed not to be the best idea to mention the fun fact as Ezra's vivid imagination made him shiver in horror as he began hurling all over again. Kanan and Hera glared at the too smart for her own good mandalorian, who smiled innocently.
"Don't worry Ezra, your stomach will be fine in a day or two." Hera assured her young child.
"How is this being handled?" Ahsoka questioned.
Kanan explained, "Well the IV fluids are helping to keep him hydrated and medicated. but the doctors want him to eat something, but every soup we have tried to feed him wont stay down.
Just then Ahsoka smiled as an idea popped into her head, "I will be right back"
As the Torguta left the room, Sato smiled at Ezra snuggling closer to Kanan, who welcomed the child to his side.
"How long will the young soldier be out of commision?" Sato questioned as Hera got a cool wash cloth and placed it on the child's face.
"Well the flu should be out of his system in a few days; but the doctor wants him to rest for a little over a week."
"I'm sorry," Ezra muttered again.
Kanan sighed at the apology. Not because he was annoyed, but because Ezra had been saying it non stop since becoming ill. The boy apologized for puking, for the other's taking care of him, and for overall being sick. Kanan wanted to tell him to stop it, to stop saying those words; but now was not the time or place.
"Don't worry," Kanan insisted, "You need to get better, no matter how long it takes for you to rest."
Ezra then mumbled, "It would be easier if I could not puke."
That was when Ahsoka came into the picture, "That is why I whipped up this."
Ahsoka was holding a clear cup with a purple frozen fluid inside.
"What is it?" Hera pondered.
"A fruit smoothie. I have them all the time when I got sick. Helps ease the throat too."
Ahsoka brought it over as she placed it in the child's hands as Kanan helped him to sit up.
"Worth a shot, I do know it helps some,' Kanan agreed, remembering some of his fellow classmates at the temple having either soup or frozen drinks.
Ezra looked at the beverage in his hand and relished in the coolness that pressed his warm hands. Ezra slowly brought it to his lips, and his eyes seemed to beam up.
"It is easier on my throat." Ezra smiled as he slurped the smoothie slowly
Kanan and Hera sighed in relief.
Ahsoka smiled, "Puking sadly can strain the throat. But with the ice, plus its full of fruits and veggies, should help your body fight what is making you so ill."
Ezra siped and weakly smiled, "I like it, thank you."
Ahsoka smiled as she gently ruffled the child's hair, "your welcome hun."
SWR
Zeb was polishing his Boe rifle while keeping an eye on Ezra; whom was sleeping at the moment. The boy had been very nervous when Kanan and the rest of the crew left, so much that he had cried and begged about not being left alone, but it had helped that Zeb was going to stay with him. Trying to make the boy sleep and help him forget being sick, Zeb told Ezra a night story about how he had once hunted down a zaloc and had nearly been eaten. Zeb had been overly happy finding a interested listener it had made him reflect on his time on Lasan something he normally did not; and it seemed to work as Ezra was asleep
Suddenly the boy started to toss and turn in his bed and small sobs was heard. Zeb grabbed a cloth and used cold water to cool him down. As Zeb placed it he could feel how the heart was raising from the boy's chest. While it cooled him down it did not seem to stop the tossing and turning. Zeb scooped Ezra into his arms and tried to get him to seattle but it did nothing good.
"Karabast" Zeb swore; what would Kanan think if he knew he could not take care of the boy? Even if Kanan did not say it out loud it was clear that Ezra was his kid.
Zeb had barely thought about it before Kanan came bursting through the door. His eyes was still filled of sleeping sand, he had only a T-Shirt thrown over himself and he looked worried at Ezra. Knowing he would want to take care of him, Zeb allowed Kanan to get Ezra. Within minutes Ezra was settled in the bed and back to his sleep.
"You just can't help yourself can you?" Zeb chuckled.
Kanan looked at him and gave him a small smile.
"It is hard not to with our bond" Kanan replied.
Zeb looked confused and Kanan saw that.
"Ezra and I share a bond. What happens to one can be felt by the other. I woke because I could feel his distress" Kanan explained.
"There you go again with that force mumbo jumbo" Zeb complained at the confusion going on in his mind.
"You never really minded stories about the force, have you?" Kanan chuckled.
"How can I? All I have is stories from my grandmother back … back on" Zeb said and haltered.
Kanan gave Zeb's shoulder a reassuring nudge but when Zeb did not say anything he started leaving.
"Do .. do you ever think back?" Zeb asked in a very low voice.
Kanan turned around and looked at his friend. The low whisper and pained expression told Kanan his friend needed a private conversation. Kanan grabbed a chair and sat opposite to him.
"Not a day goes by without me thinking of it. What might have been" Kanan said with a heavy sigh.
"It is the worst part of it isn't it? The second guessing. The illusion that if given the choice you could have changed the outcome mingled with the question of why you survived when no one else did" Zeb mumbled.
Kanan got a dark expression in his eyes and nodded silently, he could almost hear Bilaba's scream and Grey and Styles calling him a traitor.
"Kanan how did you … how did you survive? I mean the jedi was .. whipped out from one day to the next" Zeb asked very carefully.
Kanan looked at his friend.
"I am sorry Zeb. Some things … I can't bare to talk about it. Just like you don't talk to the rest of the crew about how you were once the captain of the High Honor Guard of Lasan" Kanan mentioned.
Zeb had been drinking one night shortly after he had joined Hera and Kanan. In his drunken state he had told Kanan. When Zeb had asked to be resigned in shame, Kanan had refused and promised to never tell anyone and had helped him clean up his act. Zeb suspected Kanan had been an alcoholic himself at some point. On rare occasions they would have deep personal conversations about their past. While none of them ever said it out loud it was understood that none of them would ever tell anyone else about what was spoken about in these conversations. They had discovered that talking with someone who understood where you came from was helping them heal or the very least keep the personal demons at bay but the meeting was rare due to the nature of the topics.
"I know talking about your home can't be easy Zeb. My own life was not easy either. I was leading battalions against troopers at the age of eleven" Kanan said looking down.
Zeb blinked he had lead battles at the age of eleven? Kanan saw his staring.
"There was a need for people leading and where your master goes, you follow" Kanan said.
"It is still very young to lead troopers in a war" Zeb said.
"I know but back then it seemed so exciting and you weren't really given much choice. The jedi … the jedi was meant to keep the peace. We could not just sit back and do nothing" Kanan said with a pained expression on his face.
"We both lost a lot because of the Empire" Zeb said.
"Yes and the pain still felt so fresh; even after all this time" Kanan said.
Zeb nodded but otherwise did not comment. None of them seemed to know what else to say so for a time being they took comfort in each other's presence. Suddenly the silence was shattered by a small boy crying.
"I am not sick please don't lock me in here. I swear I can do training please don't leave me in this cell" Ezra sobbed out.
Kanan and Zeb looked at the tiny boy in the bed as he begged and cried before they turned dark. Kanan reached out in the force and saw a image of Ezra sitting sick in a cell crying for someone to come help him while hurling on the floor while keep saying 'sorry' and 'not sick' over and over. Kanan withdrew horrified at the image but now at least understanding why Ezra was so scared of being left behind while being sick.
"They left him in a cell while sick" he told Zeb making Zeb's eyes narrowed in anger.
"That explains a lot; Those monsters" Zeb sneered.
Kanan nodded before he grabbed the small child and held him close.
"You are not alone" Kanan communicated through their bond.
Ezra reached out through their bond and within minutes Ezra was back fast asleep in his arms once more. Kanan carefully put Ezra back into the bed.
"You should go to bed. You have to be up in just a few hours" Zeb said.
Kanan nodded as Zeb looked up at him with almost concern.
"You okay?" Kanan asked.
Zeb nodded, "Yeah, sorry just lost in thought."
With that Kanan nodded in content as he headed back to bed. Zeb looked where Kanan was, reflecting on what he had told him. Even doing so made sure keeping an eye on Ezra. There seemed a long way to dawn all the sudden.
SWR
Two days later Ezra was by no means better, in fact he was getting a lot worse. The news about the rebellions smallest member falling ill had spread around the base and many had visited. Even though Ezra was often too tired to really say much if he did not outright sleep he still appreciate when he saw them. The flow of people visiting helped Ezra relax more, assuring him that he would not be left alone. all though he still got nervous if one from the crew left him. The crew was getting stressed over seeing the small child like this and what made it even worse was that he was losing weight because he could not keep much food down.
Kanan sat with a very ill looking Ezra in his lap trying to feed him once again while Hera comforted Ezra. At this point only Kanan could get Ezra to try and eat, something he had grown increasingly reluctant to do since the kid would just vomited it up almost immediately.
"Come on buddy a few more bites and then you can sleep" Kanan said tiredly.
Ezra shook his head as tears started powering down.
"I know it sucks but it is your best chance of getting better" Kanan said gently.
That made Ezra cry even harder.
"But I will just vomit it up on you" Ezra sobbed.
"It doesn't matter hun. None of this matter as long as you get better. So for us, please try" Hera said.
Ezra closed his eyes and opened his mouth and Kanan carefully feed Ezra a few spoon of soup.
Kanan waited to see if would stay down when suddenly
"Bleh" Ezra cried out as he vomited the food right back up and over both Kanan and Hera.
Ezra started crying over the mess he created.
"Sshh, Ezra it is fine we will change clothes and then we will be as good as new" Hera tried to sooth.
Kanan rubbed Ezra on the back but nothing seemed to help. Hera and Kanan waited until Ezra felt asleep exhausted.
"Kanan this can't go on. Look at him, he can't keep food in him for any length of time, he loses weight by the day" Hera said.
"I know Hera, but what can we do other than this?" Kanan asked tiredly.
"I don't know but we have to do something" Hera said.
Kanan got up and hugged Hera.
"It's okay Hera. Ezra will get better soon, you see" Kanan said.
Hera hugged Kanan back just as Sato came in and looked the two.
"Oh my did I forget a meeting with you commander Sato?" Hera asked.
"No I just came to check on my nephew and on you two as well. I got worried when Sabine and Zeb mentioned how long you guys have been at this" Sato said.
Kanan and Hera looked at him with worried eyes.
"We will manage" Hera said.
"I would believe you if you not both was swaying and looked like you could need a good night sleep" Sato said.
"We know but Ezra need someone to look after him. I was in the restroom when he woke up without anyone and he was in complete panic when he realised that. It took me an hour to calm him down. We discovered he has been mistreated in the empires custody when he was sick" Hera said.
Kanan had told Sabine and Hera what he had discovered about Ezra and they had both been furios. Hera had hoped she could sneak out for a simple trip to the bathroom but as she washed her hands she had heard Ezra crying hysterical as he had woke up alone.
"Well I can take care of him so you two can go get some sleep. I promise not to let him out of my sight" Sato said.
Kanan and Hera looked at each other.
"Are you sure? Ezra is very fragile right now. Taking care of him is very demanding and you are the leader of the rebellion. Are you sure you have the time?" Hera asked.
"I can manage for a few hours" Sato insisted.
Kanan and Hera looked doubting at each other but their tiredness got the better of them and they left.
SWR
Sato watched them as they tiredly left the room, the poor two they had taken the biggest part of the schedule to sit with Ezra. Sato had visited at a time where Zeb and Sabine had covered in and Ezra had a fever fit and called desperately for Kanan. Kanan had suddenly materialised completely exhausted as he had woken up and sprinted all the way from the Ghost. It had amazed Sato how fast Kanan had managed to smooth and relax Ezra. Well Sato intended to cover a few hours and then call on Ahsoka, Rex and a few other rebels so that Kanan and Hera could get some much needed sleep.
Sato took his datapad and started reading with the small child peacefully by his side and Sato could not help but smile. Ever since his own nephew had disappeared he had never thought he would ever get the responsibility for a small child again as he never had children of his own. Yet here Ezra was a small child that had brought much happiness into his life and considered him as a uncle, it had made him proud beyond words. Especially since Ezra had started out being scared of him.
When he first met Ezra, the kid had ran from the med bay. When Sato finally found him, the little youngster bit him and ran off. For some time, Sato kept his distance from the child as to not scare him any further. Things had been going a little better when they had played hide a seek but the child still was very timid and easy to scare. However, after the horrors Ezra had told about it was not hard to guess why. Yet after some time and with help from Kanan and Hera, Ezra had grown fond of the Commander, and he of the child. With those happy thoughts he returned to the datapad.
Suddenly the small child next to him started to toss and turn and crie out. Sato put the datapad down unsure what to do. Hera and Kanan had warned him this could happen but that did not mean that he was prepared for it. Sato took up the small ill child and was immediately met with a lot of heat raising from him. Sato hurried over and found a bucket with cold water and a cloth which he dipped, turned around and then placed on his face. Unfortunately it did not do a whole lot of good as the fit continued. Sato took up the comm.
"I need a doctor in the room with Ezra" he called.
Soon after a doctor rushed in and found Sato trying to comfort the small child as it had a fever fit. The doctor rushed over to fetch a few piles and prepared them before he administered it to the child. Together waited before Ezra felt back into his fever sleep and Sato sighed in relief. Sato started to understand why Hera and Kanan was so tired.
"The boy can't have any more medicine's orally without it upsetting his stomach more." the doctor said and left.
Sato was left exhausted with the small child, he had not thought it would be this hard, but he had volunteered and he intended to see it through, his nephew needed him. Just as he thought so the boy opened his eyes.
"Uncle Sato?" Ezra asked.
"I am here Ezra" Sato said.
"The crew?" Ezra whispered with tears in the eyes.
Sato could not hold himself back, and scooped the small child into his arms, he knew he would be teased if he was seen, but comforting Eza was worth it.
"Kanan and Hera needed sleep so I took over. I hope I can do it" Sato said as he rubbed the boy's back.
"Of course. You are a great uncle" Ezra whispered.
Sato had never been more proud. Ezra was soon back to sleep and he laid the boy back to the bed. As Sato returned to work he could not stop smiling, this was what he was fighting for.
SWR
As Kanan and Hera woke up from their peaceful slumber Kanan saw the clock and shot out of bed.
"Eight Hours!" Kanan exclaimed as he reached to grab his clothes on the floor.
"Kanan, slow down. tripping over yourself is not going to get you closer to Ezra. It will only make you need to be there."
"Yes I need to be there!" Kanan freaked.
Hera rolled her eyes as she mentioned, "To help Ezra, not to have a twisted foot and lay in the bed next to him."
As Kanan raced out the door he ran right into Zeb.
"Watch it mate, going to run right into the wall if you don't look where you are going."
"Sorry Zeb," Kanan apologized as he straightened up his outfit, "Just overslept and I bet Sato is exhausted now."
Zeb shook his head, "Nah, Rex's turn came up about two hours ago."
"Well that's-," Kanana then truly recalled what Zeb said, "WHAT!?"
"Yeah, after Sato watched over him, me and Sabine did for a while, then Ahsoka, than Rex took a turn."
"So you let him?" Kanan questioned as he raced down the ship to the medbay.
"No Kanan he took over the med-bay and has taken Ezra hostage." Hera said sarcastically.
"He could!' Kanan hollered as he began running.
Hera then confided to Zeb, 'What scares me more; the fact that he is going to scare a sick child over his hatred for Rex, or the fact that he thinks I might not be joking."
On the Phoenix ship, Kanan raced to the medbay to make sure Ezra was okay. Rex being the clone trooper he was would probably be making him run around the base and do sit ups while he was still sick.
Once Kanan got to the mebay he stood in the doorway in shock.
There was Ezra, still looking ill, but a little less pale, leaning right into Rex's side.
Rex was going on about a story about a crashing ship and how his fellow clones got away by jumping out.
Kanan was shocked when it turned out that he had been completely wrong. Kanan had been dame sure that Rex was up to no good but here Rex was actually taking care of his padawan. It threw Kanan alop and he was unsure how to handle it, and a little angry he had been wrong, he did not want Ezra to like Rex, Rex was a clone after all. Kanan may of hated the man, but he loved to see Ezra wakly smiling in spite of still feeling ill.
Ezra's smiled grew when he saw who was at the door, "Hi Kanan."
Rex looked up and his eagerness with the story faded.
"Kanan," Rex greeted with no emotion.
Kanan then shrugged his shoulders and sat on the other side of Ezra.
"Well?" Kanan asked as He ran his hand through Ezra's hair, "keep going."
While Rex appeared shocked, he smiled and continued.
SWR
The crew was sitting eating dinner together all though it was a quiet the affair as they were all worried about Ezra. Ahsoka had taken over from Rex about an hour ago and she had insisted that the crew took some time to rest and spend time together. Even so the mood was not really great as everyone was worried for their smallest member.
The crew had just finished when their comm went on.
"Kanan here" Kanan replied.
"It's Ahsoka you better get to the medbay, Ezra is getting worse" Ahsoka said.
The whole crew dropped everything they had and rushed to the medbay where they found an exhausted Ahsoka waiting while the doctors were examining Ezra.
"Ezra gets fever fits once again so I called the doctors" Ahsoka explained before they could ask.
Just then the doctor came out.
"We are doing what we can but we can't give him any more medicine, his body can't handle it if we do. We are trying to keep him cool, currently he is washed with a cloth but it might not be enough. That fever will not break, so if we can't make it go down we will have to wash him but I worries. Stripping him of his clothes and washing him down will most likely traumatise him. You can go in if you want to but I must warn you, it doesn't look good. If we can't get the fever down he won't stand a chance. I will go and fetch a tube for him but it is better if you can find another way to help him" the doctor said.
They all rushed in expect Ahsoka which rushed to get Sato, Rex and a few other rebels which she knew wanted to know. Inside she they found a med droid trying to bring a cool cloth to Ezra, only for the ill child to grab it and throw it as far from him as possible (which was only down towards the floor).
"Droid" Ezra cried trying to weakly push the droid away.
"Ezra" the whole crew cried but Ezra just continued to toss and turn.
"Kanan" Ezra sobbed weakly.
Kanan rushed over to place his hand on top of the child; to connected with Ezra through the force quicker, but as soon as Kanan made contact, storm of memories. The memories came racing through mind as he saw flashes of red, heard a multitude of sinister laughs, and saw the face of what true nightmares were made of. Kanan pulled back, frazzled with what his padawan was seeing. The Jedi would of tumbled over if Hera and Zeb hadn't steaded him on his feet.
"What is it Kanan?" Hera asked as Sato, Ahsoka, Rex and his brothers entered the room.
"Ezra's having a PTSD moment; he thinks he is back with the Inquisitor's," Kanan spoked in gasped breaths.
Kanan stepped over to where the med droid continued to cool Ezra down all though it was getting increasingly harder. Kanan carefully put a hand on Ezra's face and used the force to try to connect with Ezra. Once again though, memories hit him but this time with even greater power, like a high powered torpedo. Ezra's mind was filled with so much pain, horrid memories and feelings that Ezra seemed to be confused by
"Ezra?" Kanan called out.
Suddenly Kanan could hear the dark voice speak inside the child's mind.
"Everything that you hold dear will soon be gone, because of you."
Ezra's emotions turned from confusion to rage. Just as Kanan tried yet again to calm Ezra, Kanan was forced out of the child's mind in pure panic, then pushed physically through the force sending Kanan flying through the air.
The crew, and the rest of the rebels in the room starred as Kanan suddenly went flying against the wall, hitting his head and falling unconscious.
The doctor entered the room, bringing a tube, only to see the scene. As he saw Hera and Sabine tending to the unconscious man, the doctor went towards the child that was now in a bed almost drenched in water.
"What happened?" Hera questioned in panic at what she witnessed. Yes, she knew Ezra had some demons from his past, but never did she imagine her child doing something as powerful as knocking a grown man out cold.
"I sensed it. Ezra saw the Inquisitor in his visions, and when Kanan tried to enter, he assumed it was that of an enemy instead of a friend," Ahsoka spoke up.
The med droid started to work again and went over to Kanan and examined him while the doctor looked more and more worried towards Ezra. The crew watched as they waited in worry, it was the first time they had seen what Kanan had warned them about, Ezra could be dangerous. Sure it was not his fault but it was still scary to see Kanan fly off to the wall.
Zeb and Rex lifted Kanan onto one of the bed so the droid could evaluate him,
"Kanan Jarrus is alright but he will be out for a while" the droid stated as it had hera keep ice on the man's head
The doctor then started his own evaluation. "Ezra must relax. The boy's temperature is through the roof, causing these fever terrors of his, but the terror is so real to him that it's making his fever worse. If he cannot calm down…"
The crew looked frightened at each other, Kanan was out cold and Ezra could risk dying if they didn't do something. The doctor started to fill the tube with water with an urging look in his eyes as he looked at the crew.
Hera saw the poor thing tossing and turning in his discomfort, she had to do something.
Cautiously, she walked over to Ezra, who in his delusional state was attempting to push the doctor away. Chopper slowly came into the room while no one saw i.
"Ezra listen to me, do you know where you are? Do you know who I am?" Hera asked.
Ezra looked in her direction and seemed to have trouble focusing but he managed to form a few words.
"Empire, Pau'un, torture … no … no not the torture droid! Please no" Ezra sobbed incoherent.
"Ezra please listen, you are in the medbay at the rebel base. It's me, Hera." the woman pleaded, "You are safe with the rest of the crew, and Ahsoka, Rex, Uncle Sato, and me."
Ezra seemed to calm a little and opened his eyes a little bit; but instead of looking at Hera's caring eyes, saw only Chopper's metallic form.
"NOOO torture droid, no!" Ezra shrieked as Ezra began scrambling as far as he could Suddenly Chopper was lifted into the air by the child much to the surprise of everyone in the room. "Ezra please, try to calm down" Hera pleaded. Ezra was only able to lift Chopper high enough to hit the ceiling, that was just as Ezra was about to fall off the bed. Luckily Rex and Sato caught the ill child before he hit the floor.
Chopper then fell had to the ground, with several parts springing out of Chopper and beeped several insults before the cranky droid wheeled out of the room with both Sabine, Hera and Zeb glaring at it.
"Hera let me dismantle that droid" Zeb growled angrily.
Before they could say anything more Ezra started sobbing again as Rex and Sato set the boy back on the bed.
"Please no... no torture droid, please no, it hurt, burn, sting, please no!" Ezra sobbed.
Hera's heart broke thinking about Ezra being exposed to the torture droid. Unable to think of anything else that might work she started to sing for Ezra, it was the same song she had used both when he could not sleep and when he had been upset. First nothing happened, but slowly, very slowly Ezra started relax a little more.
"H..Hera?" Ezra whimpered.
"That is Ezra, it is Hera. Keep your breathing slow and steady" Hera encouraged as she sat next to the youngling.
Ezra sniffled.
"Take deep breaths" Hera instructed.
Ezra took some slow and unsteady breathes.
"You are doing great Ezra" Hera assured the kid.
Slowly Ezra seemed to fall asleep and started to relax a little more and everyone breathed a sigh of relief. The doctor examined Ezra before he gave his verdict.
"His fever has gone down for the moment. As long as the child keeps calm then the fever will not harm him."
"What a relief" Hera said to the doctor which then left again.
No one said anything for a while unsure what to say.
"That was closer than I am comfortable with" Hera finally said.
"Yes and I am worried with Ezra's action here, he reacted on some very dark feelings" Ahsoka said.
The crew did not like this but did not know what to say.
"Let us handle Kanan and Ezra and talk about it later" Hera said.
Everyone nodded as the helped the male human
SWR
The massive pounding into his skull was the first thing Kanan registered when he began to awake. The next thing Kanan felt was something cool being held onto his head by someone. As he opened his eyes he was relieved to see beauty right above him.
Hera saw Kanan open his eyes, and her face lite up in relief.
"Kanan!" Hera exclaimed as more footsteps came rushing towards Kanan.
As Kanan sat up with Hera's aid, he saw he was in the medbay with Zeb, Sabine and Ahsoka looking at him with concern.
"You okay mate?" Zeb questioned.
"Yeah, what….?" Kanan then recalled what had happened and his confusion about his situation turned to panic when he didn't see a certain member of the crew.
"Ezra! Where's Ezra?" Kanan asked as he looked around; only for his question to be answered when he saw Ezra laying on the medbay bed next to him. to his relief, Ezra looked calmer then he was before, and could sense the child was genuinely asleep in his slumber.
Hera explained, "After he knocked you out, I was able to calm him down a bit so the doctors could give him some medicine after some time. The med droid and doctor say Ezra is doing much better now."
Kanan sighed in relief, though he couldn't help but notice Hera distracted face.
"What's wrong?" Kanan wondered.
Hera sighed a she admitted, "I just have never seen Ezra use his powers like that before."
"I told you the kid had a raw talent to use the force to protect himself." Kanan pointed out.
"I know...It was just hard to see him so scared and angry."
Kanan sighed before he explained, "Ezra has been trained by the Inquisitor. I am doing my best to correct those teaching's, but when he is scared, he lets his darker emotions and training take control because that is what he has known longer. That is why I am training him, so he won't become the very thing he hates."
Ahsoka though spoke up to Kanan's comment, "Kanan you can't just brush this incident aside. Ezra used dark emotions when he slammed you against the wall"
The crew paused and looked worried. This was a discussion they could not really participate in.
"I am not Ahsoka, and I am aware of what happened" Kanan protested.
Ahsoka sighed as she went on, "Kanan I have seen such anger before; my former master was like that. While he was loyal to those he cared for, when he got really mad he could … he could do really questionable actions," Ahsoka admitted grimly.
"Which is why he needs our help, so he won't do that again" Kanan protested, "You told me how Ezra got angry when you guys first met him, he was pretty much threatening you guys with my lightsaber. Yes he was angry, but was clearly trying to protect me."
"Kanan I love Ezra, he is an adorable kid and very sweet; but you know he can be dangerous. If he uses those emotions to guide his path, I don't want to be responsible for a Sith child or what we might be forced to do about it" Ahsoka said in a low worried voice.
An eerie silence hang after that.
"Ahsoka we won't …" Kanan began.
"That is why I don't want to you to brush it aside, we need to do something" Ahsoka said.
"Like what Ahsoka?" Kanan asked.
"Perhaps we should share the task of teaching him, he is your padawan but he needs to learn to control his emotions no matter what. I myself learned some meditation techniques that helped me control my own inner demons." Ahsoka stated.
Kanan sighed "I will think about it" he said and leaned back. As much as he hated the idea of needing help to train his padawan, he hated Ezra turning more.
In that moment Ezra started to stir.
"Ezra?" Kanan gasped as he went over to the child. everyone else also gathered round to see if Ezra was alright.
Ezra's eyes began to open, they say no confusion or traumas; just an ill child who needed rest.
"Kanan, what happened? I feel like I just got launched into space."
The others looked at one another before Ahsoka spoke up, "We will explain all when you get some more sleep."
Ezra yawned as he nodded his head."Okay; are you okay?" Ezra mumbled half a sleep.
"We are. Just focus on getting better" Kanan said.
"Kay" Ezra slurred as fell asleep.
The crew looked at him sleeping before they went to work.
SWR
Ezra woke up and felt he was still warm but it was better than it had been. Ezra turned his head and saw that Kanan was in a bed next to him while Hera was sitting between them. Ezra worried when he saw Hera was applying ice to his head.
"Kanan" Ezra shouted in panic.
Hera turned around and looked at him.
"Ezra easy relax hun" Hera tried to smooth.
"What is wrong with him? Ezra asked.
"Kanan hit his head Ezra" Hera said.
Ezra looked at Kanan with worries. Suddenly a memory came to him. Kanan flying through the air, hitting the wall and the horrible realisation that only him or Ahsoka could have done it. Since Kanan was visiting him it meant it was him that had done it.
That realisation made him shake and sob.
"Oh no hun please don't. Take it easy. You need to relax" Hera said.
"I did it. I am bad. I hurt Kanan" Ezra sobbed.
Alarmed by the noise Sabine and Zeb came rushing in and saw Ezra is deep distress and Hera trying to relax him.
"Ezra little buddy try to relax" Zeb said.
Sabine rubbed him on his back while adding "Yes it is not good for you"
"But I hurt Kanan" Ezra sobbed.
"Hun that was not your fault. We talked to Kanna and all he worried about was you, he doesn't blame you" Hera said.
"But ...but" Ezra said while still sobbing.
"Ezra it wasn't your fault. Remember what you told me that even after I told you I volunteered. The same goes for you" Sabine said while rubbing his back.
"Yes just like it is not my fault Lassan fell even though I was tasked with protecting the royal family" Zeb said looking sad.
"But … but" Ezra said still close to tears.
"It will be okay Ezra" a weak voice said.
Everyone turned their head to see Kanan have awoken.
"We will solve this Ezra don't worry" Kanan said tiredly and brushed Ezra's tears away from his cheek.
Ezra leaned into his touch and made a small smile.
"Now go back to sleep Ezra, we will deal with this in good time" Kanan said as he was laying down. Ezra did the same and the rest of the crew came over fussing over the small member as he felt asleep. For Kanan it was frustrating he could not go but Hera sent him a warning glance to stay in bed, even so he was happy seeing his small padawan at ease as he slept.
SWR
Over the next few days Ezra's condition improved. Ezra was able to keep down the soup he was fed, and his fever broke one night. The doctor though wished for Ezra to remain in the medbay for a couple more days, now with Ezra more coherent, the crew did not mind keeping him company by playing games and watching holovids.
On the last night in the medbay, Kanan and Ezra were going over datapads on saber forms when Kanan noticed Ezra seemed distracted.
"You okay? Not relapsing are you?" Kanan questioned as he place a hand to the child's forehead, and relieved to find it cool.
"No…" Ezra seemed to struggle with what he wanted to ask next, but finally found his courage.
"Did it hurt?" Ezra asked with intimidation.
"Did what hurt?" Kanan wondered in confusement.
"When I slammed you in the wall." Ezra said with a shaky voice.
Kanan sighed, "I will be honest, I wish you didn't remember that. But, besides some bumps and bruises I am fine."
Ezra hung his head in shame as he cried, "I'm sorry."
Not liking Ezra this way, Kanan sat next to him as he hugged him from the side.
"It wasn't your fault kid." Kanan tried to assure Ezra.
Ezra though shook his head, "I used the force like 'they' did." Kanan didn't need to ask who 'they' were.
"You are not like them." Kanan stated firmly.
"But, I act like them by doing stupid stuff like that."
Kanan knew he had to talk to Ezra about it, but he just wished it was later when he was better than sooner.
How you did act was based off of darker emotions then the Jedi are fond of, but in the moment it was instinct that guided you, not thought."
Ezra looked up at Kanan with some puzzlement.
Kanan couldn't help but chuckle at Ezra's confused face.
"It's like, you are awake now right? out wouldn't hurt me now."
Ezr shook his head, "No, I like you. That's why i feel bad about what I did."
Kanan then explained, "But that's why you attacked me when you were sick. You were not thinking straight, you were ill, scared and confused; all that is bad combo for your instinct to take control. You're actions were unintentional.
Ezra smiled weakly, "That makes me feel better, but I still don't want to hurt you guys again."
Kanan, seeing the sincerity in his eyes, made up his mind.
"I know you don't, thats why Ahsoka and I have been talking."
"What about."
"Well Ahsoka has advanced personal experience with calming her own struggle with her past demons. So she has offered to teach you meditation techniques to calm your anger and fears. It might require some time and patience, but will help you to not feel so much anger. What do you think?"
Ezra thought about it and smiled widely, "I like this idea."
Kanan ruffled his hair, "I'm glad to hear."
As Ezra leaned into the man's touch, he let out a small yawn.
Kanan chuckled as he lifted Ezra over to his bed, Ezra looked confused at him until he realised Kanan would allow him to sleep next to him. Ezra was more than happy to snuggle into Kanan's side, and was asleep soon. Kanan was happy, he knew Ezra was going to be okay, and not just healthy wise. As long as Ezra was willing to change, Kanan knew that meant they could help him, and that was what he would do; no matter what.
A/N Here it is, a cutesy sick chapter in our dark traumatic series. Don't you love how the crew is so caring of Ezra. Yet not all of his darkness is gone, he better be careful.